De’Aaron Fox wants to know Kings’ direction before signing extension

De’Aaron Fox wants to know Kings’ direction before signing extension

Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox rejected a three-year, $165 million max extension from the organization ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. A large reason for that was he’s setting himself up for an even greater payday in the summer of 2025 when he will be eligible for a four-year extension ($229 million) or a five-year supermax ($345M), should he make an All-NBA team this season.

But he recently offered another caveat to not signing an extension quite yet, citing he wants to see progress in the team and organization from a winning perspective.

“It has all to do with just the team, the organization,” Fox said on Draymond Green‘s podcast, The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis. “Where are we going? I want to make sure that we’re in a position to try to win in the future because that’s ultimately what I want to do. I know I’ll make enough money regardless of where I play or what I do, I’m going to be fine. God forbid, knock on wood, you have a career-ending injury. But aside from that, I feel like I’m continuing to get better as a player every year.

“But for me, it’s, ‘Are we looking like we’re continuing to get better year after year and are we going to be able to compete at a high level?’ That’s all mine is. If we can show that this year, you sign an extension now. If not, obviously I still have another year, but that’s where my mindset is. At some point, will we be able to compete for a championship or really compete at a high level for a long time? That’s where I’m at.

“I love the city. I love being here and I’ve raised my family here. We’ve got the kids’ grandparents here. I would love to be here and retire here. How many people can say they played for one organization for their whole career? I want to be a part of that select few people, but at the end of the day I also want to win.”

It makes sense for Fox to wait and sew where Sacramento is a year from now–while also ensuring a greater payday. It’s logical for every reason that he mentioned. There’s a method to the madness.

While this regime is better, the Kings have not had an organization that’s been known for “winning,” per se. They have just one postseason appearance–in 2023-24–since the 2005-06 season and came up just shy last year after being bounced in the second play-in game against the New Orleans Pelicans (without Zion Williamson).

Fox, who turns 27-years-old on Friday, is one of the best point guards in the NBA. Through 27 games, he’s averaging 26.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game, shooting 48.3 percent from the floor, 32.3 percent from 3-point range and 79.7 percent from the free-throw line. He’s a blur in transition and incredibly crafty when he operates inside the arc, where he’s shooting 55.5 percent, including 59.9 percent in the paint.

Despite his continued growth, engineering a top-10 offense, the Kings are still 13-14 and currently the No. 12 in the Western Conference. They are 1.5 games back of the Los Angeles Lakers for the final play-in spot and just two games back of the Phoenix Suns for the No. 6 seed. It’s a tightly contested race.

I don’t think the Kings would trade Fox at the deadline, but you can’t help but wonder if he’s due for greener grass if they flame out again this season. In this league, it’s impossible to rule any outcome out.

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